LAst Night's Action: No Kobe, No Problem

LA Lakers defeat Utah Jazz 96-81. For three games the Lakers were without the services of Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. And in those three games they not only won against playoff contenders, but they held their opponents to under 90 points. Against the Jazz, the Lakers looked like the aggressors at times which is very unlike a Jerry Sloan coached Jazz team. For the second consecutive game Pau Gasol was one rebound shy of a 20-20 game having scored 22 points. Lamar Odom had 25 points and 11 rebounds while Shannon Brown added 11 points as a starter and Jordan Farmar had 18 points off the bench. Now we all rest for the All Star Break. Woo hoo!

Golden State Warriors defeat LA Clippers 132-102. Three games into the Kim Hughes era and things still look as bleak as ever for the Clips. The awful 14-win Warriors came into the game short-handed with Monta Ellis sidelined. The Warriors ended up playing only eight players. But rookie Stephen Curry had a huge game with a triple-double: 36 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. The only starter not to play at least 46 minutes for the Warriors was center Andris Biedrins. Meanwhile the Clippers look to lick their wounds and try and come up with something after the All Star Break.

Anaheim Ducks defeat Edmonton Oilers 3-2. This season has been the season of streaks for the NHL. The Capitals 14 game win streak. The Kings 10 game win streak. And now the Ducks 11th straight win at home which sets a franchise record. It’s fortunate they faced the Oilers who are 3-22-2 in their last 27 games. Basically if the Ducks didn’t win this game, they would have a lot to be ashamed about. The Ducks are now two points out of a playoff spot and have two road games before the Olympic break.

Notable Notes

• Sports Illustrated covergirl and Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn spoke to the media Wednesday publicly disclosing the extent of her leg injury. She hasn’t skied since February 2 when she jammed a ski tip, toppled over and slammed her right boot against her leg. Vonn said while her shin was not broken, it was badly bruised and swollen that it was too arduous to put on a ski boot. “I’m sitting here today questioning whether, you know, I’ll be even able to ski,” Vonn said. Having been marketed as the Phelps of the winter games, this news surely doesn’t sit well with the US Olympic Committee and NBC. Meanwhile “Sport Science” on ESPN explains how Vonn does what she does.

Tonight’s Action

Edmonton Oilers at LA Kings. 7:30 pm FSWest, AM 1150 KTLK.